Farmingville, NY - In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, the Brookhaven Youth Bureau will be offering opportunities for drug awareness and prevention from October 23 through October 31, including continuing to offer free drug testing kits for parents and guardians. Residents interested in picking up a drug testing kit should contact the Youth Bureau directly. The Drug Testing Kit Program is anonymous and there are no questions asked. There is a limit of two kits per family. Each kit comes with information on how to approach the subject of drug testing with your child, what to do if your child refuses to be tested and a substance use disorder treatment referral list. The Town receives the kits courtesy of Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. The kits are funded with money seized by drug dealers and are not paid for by taxpayers.
The Youth Bureau is also providing local middle schools with informational brochures on substance abuse to further educate students, school district staff and families on the dangers of drug use.
Additionally, in the coming months, the Youth Bureau will be partnering with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to introduce a Youth Mentoring Program via Zoom. The New York State Mentoring Program creates supportive mentor relationships for youth. Through this one-year program mentors serve as positive role models, guiding students with respect, structure, compassion and life skills.
Counseling services continue to be offered by the Youth Bureau staff and are available to runaway, homeless and at risk youth ages 12 to 24 years old.
In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. In 1988, the National Family Sponsorship sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
For information regarding the Youth Bureau’s programs and services, visit their page or call 631-451-8011.
Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738
